Server connectivity control for tele-presence robot

ABSTRACT

A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote control station that can connect to the robot. The connection can include a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a server that controls which privileges are provided to the remote control station. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot, joint in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from the robot. The privileges can be established and edited through a manager control station. The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote control station that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can be edited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system may also allow for connectivity between a remote control station at a user programmable time window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to the field of robotics.

2. Background Information

Robots have been used in a variety of applications ranging from remotecontrol of hazardous material to assisting in the performance ofsurgery. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,458 issued to Wang et al.discloses a system that allows a surgeon to perform minimally invasivemedical procedures through the use of robotically controlledinstruments. One of the robotic arms in the Wang system moves anendoscope that has a camera. The camera allows a surgeon to view asurgical area of a patient.

There has been marketed a tele-presence mobile robot introduced byInTouch Technologies, Inc., the assignee of this application, under thetrademark RP-7. The InTouch robot is controlled by a user at a remotestation. The remote station may be a personal computer with a joystickthat allows the user to remotely control the movement of the robot. Boththe robot and remote station have cameras, monitors, speakers andmicrophones to allow for two-way video/audio communication. The robotcamera provides video images to a screen at the remote station so thatthe user can view the robot's surroundings and move the robotaccordingly.

The InTouch robot system can be used to access any number of robots fromdifferent remote locations. For example, a hospital facility may have anumber of tele-presence robots that are accessible from different remotecomputer stations. A physician can become connected to a robot by merelylogging on through a laptop or personal computer. As the number ofin-field InTouch tele-presence robots grows, it is desirable to set andedit the connectivity between various remote control stations anddifferent robots. It is also desirable to provide a means to control theparameters of the connectivity. For example, it may be desirable tocontrol connectivity so that multiple remote control stations canreceive the audio/video provided by the robot. It may be desirable torestrict the audio and/or video provided to one or more remote controlstations. It may also be desirable to establish a time window ofconnectivity between control stations and robots.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote controlstation that can connect to the robot. The connection can include aplurality of privileges. The system further includes a server thatcontrols which privileges are provided to the remote control station.The system may include a manager control station that can access saidserver to establish and edit said privileges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a robotic system;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a user interface to create connectivitygroups;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a user interface to create connectivityrules;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a user interface used to test connectivitybetween a remote control station and a robot;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a user interface similar to FIG. 4 showingan error message;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of an electrical system of a robot;

FIG. 7 is side view of the robot;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a robot head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remotecontrol station that can connect to the robot. The connection caninclude a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a serverthat controls which privileges are provided to the remote controlstation. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot,join in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from therobot. The privileges can be established and edited through a managercontrol station.

The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote controlstations that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can beedited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system mayalso allow for connectivity between a remote control station and a robotwithin a user programmable time window. The system may also allow forconnectivity between arbitrary endpoints, including control station tocontrol station connections and robot to robot connections.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1shows an embodiment of a robot system 10. The robot system 10 includes aplurality of robots 12 each with a base station 14 and a plurality ofremote control stations 16. Each remote control station 16 may becoupled to the base station 14 through a network 18. By way of example,the network 18 may be either a packet switched network such as theInternet, or a circuit switched network such has a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) or other broadband system. The base station 14may be coupled to the network 18 by a modem 20 or other broadbandnetwork interface device.

Each remote control station 16 may include a computer 22 that has amonitor 24, a camera 26, a microphone 28 and a speaker 30. The computer22 may also contain an input device 32 such as a joystick or a mouse.Each control station 16 is typically located in a place that is remotefrom the robot 12. Although only one robot 12 is shown, it is to beunderstood that the system 10 may have a plurality of robots 12. Ingeneral any number of robots 12 may be controlled by any number ofremote stations. For example, one remote station 16 may be coupled to aplurality of robots 12, or one robot 12 may be coupled to a plurality ofremote stations 16.

The robot 12 includes a movement platform 34 that is attached to a robothousing 36. Also attached to the robot housing 36 are a camera 38, amonitor 40, a microphone(s) 42 and a speaker 44. The microphone 42 andspeaker 30 may create a stereophonic sound. The robot 12 may also havean antenna 46 that is wirelessly coupled to an antenna 48 of the basestation 14. The system 10 allows a user at the remote control station 16to move the robot 12 through the input device 32. The robot camera 38 iscoupled to the remote monitor 24 so that a user at the remote station 16can view a patient. Likewise, the robot monitor 40 is coupled to theremote camera 26 so that the patient can view the user. The microphones28 and 42, and speakers 30 and 44, allow for audible communicationbetween the patient and the user.

Each remote station computer 22 may operate Microsoft OS software andWINDOWS XP or other operating systems such as LINUX. The remote computer22 may also operate a video driver, a camera driver, an audio driver anda joystick driver. The video images may be transmitted and received withcompression software such as MPEG CODEC. The control station may havegeneral user interfaces that allow for operation of a robot and formulti-casting with other remote stations.

The system 10 includes a server 50 that controls connectivity betweenthe remote control stations 16 and the robots 12. The server 50 includesa database 52. By way of example, the database 52 may be a relationaldatabase. The database 52 can allow for groups of remote stations toconnect groups of robots. Groups may contain individual robots andcontrol stations. Groups may also contain customers, which represent allrobots and control stations belonging to a particular customer. Groupsmay also contain OEM configurations, which represent all robots andcontrol stations that are sold by a particular 3rd-party OEMdistributor. Groups may also contain other groups in a recursivefashion. By way of example, one healthcare entity may have three robotsdesignated ROBOT-1, ROBOT-2 and ROBOT-3 and 5 remote stations designatedCS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4 and CS-5. The 3 robots are defined as group R andthe remote stations are defined as group S. Rules can be establishedthat allow connectivity between any remote station in group S with anyrobot in group R.

FIG. 2 shows a user interface 60 that can be used to create and editgroups. The interface includes an “Add Members” field 62 that allows auser to add members to a group. The members can be selected through the“Clients” field 64, “Customers” field 66, “OEM” configuration field 68or by a “Group” name field 70. The members of the new group are listedin the “Members” field 72. The members can be listed as a string ofclient serial numbers, customer ids, OEM configuration ids and group idsin a simple XML-like format. In this example, the group includes clientcontrol-stations CS-2345 and CS-2346. The interface 60 may include an“Add This Group” button 74 that can be selected to add a group to thedatabase.

The interface 60 may include an “Existing Groups” area 76 that allowsthe user to view existing groups and group members through fields 78which filter based on the category of group name, OEM, customer orclient. Interface area 80 lists each group along with the group members,the person who created the group (with time log), and an indication ofwhether the group is active. An existing group can be edited byselecting an “Edit” button 82. A history of edits can be viewed byselecting the “History” button 84.

The group data may be stored in the database with the following groupconnectivity information:

-   -   id [int, identity]: Unique numeric ID.    -   createID [int]: ID that is shared amongst all group edits in the        history chain. This is used to locate the group history. For the        initial group creation, the createID is equal to the regular id.        All subsequent edits to the group will retain the same createID,        but will be given new unique regular ids.    -   isActive[bit]: Set to true if group is currently considered        active, meaning that it has not been edited and replaced by a        new version of the group.    -   name [nvarchar]: Friendly name of group. This name appears in        any group dropdowns in an advanced page.    -   members [text]: String of group members. Contains mixed client        machines, customer names, OEM configurations and nested groups.    -   membersExpanded [text]: Stores members in an expanded format        where all nested groups and OEMs are expanded to list all client        machines and customers contained in the groups.    -   createdUTC[int]: Timestamp of initial group creation in UTC        seconds. When a group is edited, the original group becomes        inactive and a new group is created, but the createdUTC        timestamp is maintained in the new group.    -   modifiedUTC[int]: Timestamp of most recent group modification in        UTC seconds. For groups being made inactive due to a group edit,        the newly inactive group will have its modified timestamp set to        the time of the edit.    -   creator[nvarchar]: The user who first created the group. This        can be automatically pulled from domain login credentials used        to access the various UI pages.    -   lastModifiedBy[nvarchar]: The user who last modified the group.        This can be automatically pulled from domain login credentials        used to access the various UI pages. comments[text]: Textual        comments attached to group.

FIG. 3 is an interface 90 that can be used to create and editconnectivity rules. The interface 90 includes rule creation filterfields 92 that allow a user to filter the list of systems that appear inthe client field when creating new rules. There are also fields 94 thatallow the user to review existing rules. The connectivity path of a rulecan be defined in fields 96 by adding groups, OEMs, customers, andindividual robots and control stations to the “From” 98 and “To” 100fields.

The rules include “From” 98 and “To” 100 fields that define theconnectivity path between control stations and robots. The “Priority”field 102 defines how conflicting rules will be resolved. When rules arein conflict, the priority value resolves the ambiguity. If twoconflicting rules have the same priority, the rule that was modifiedmost recently wins. The “Privilege Level” field 104 establishes whatprivileges are allowed in this particular connectivity. By way ofexample, the system may allow the following privileges:

-   -   The ability to operate the robot.    -   The ability to accept multi-cast sessions with one or more other        remote control stations.    -   The ability to be the Host (primary control station CS user) for        a multi-cast session with one or more other remote control        stations.    -   The ability to be a Guest CS in a multi-cast session with one or        more other remote control stations.    -   The ability to connect directly to a robot (i.e. without being a        Guest).    -   Disabling of all visible video output and/or audio output on a        Guests system of what is captured on the robot.    -   Disabling video output and/or audio output on the robot of what        is captured on one or more Guest control stations.    -   Disabling of saving of media including snapshots and movies from        the robot.    -   Access to a medical device connected to the robot.    -   The ability to view and control auxiliary video sources.    -   The ability to use an external handset attached to the robot.

The “Type” field 106 allows the user to specify whether the rule isadditive or subtractive. Additive rules can be used to add connectivity.Subtractive rules can be used to selectively remove connectivity in atargeted manner. In this fashion, if one defines the connectivity to orfrom a group, and then subtracts connectivity privileges of a sub-group,and further adds connectivity privileges of a sub-sub-group, the systemthereby allows one to define a hierarchy of connectivity rules The“Bidirectional” field 108 allows for connectivity between the From andTo members to be unidirectional (“False”) or bidirectional (“True”)which is selectable by the user. The user can set the rule as read-onlyin the “Read-Only” field 110. Read-only rules always appear at the topof the list when rules are displayed. They require special doubleconfirmation to be edited or deleted.

The user can select a time window for connectivity by entering a startdate and time in a “Start Time” field 112 and an end date and time in an“End Time” field 114. The rule can be added by selecting the “Add ThisRule” button 116. This allows a user to schedule connectivity inadvance, to be enabled at a later date and time.

The From, To, Priority, Privilege and Active data for existing rules canbe displayed in an interface area 118. A user can edit an existing ruleby selecting an “Edit” button 120 and review edit history by selecting a“History” button 122.

The rules can be stored in the relational database with the followingconnectivity rule information:

-   -   id [int, identity]: Unique numeric ID.    -   createID [int]: ID that is shared amongst all rules in the        history chain that resulted from edits. This is used to locate        the rule history. For the initial rule, the createID is equal to        the regular id. All subsequent edits to the rule will retain the        same createID, but will be given new unique regular ids.    -   priority [int]: Allows establishing precedence between        conflicting rules by determining the order in which rules are        applied. Higher numbers means the rule will be applied later in        the logic chain.    -   groupFrom [text]: String of “from” group members. Contains mixed        client machines, customers and groups. For non-bidirectional        rules, this represents the source of connectivity, for        bidirectional rules it represents both source and destination.    -   groupTo [text]: String of “to” group members. Contains mixed        client machines, customers and groups. For non-bidirectional        rules, this represents the destination of connectivity, for        bidirectional rules it represents both source and destination.    -   groupFromExpanded [text]: Stores groupFrom in an expanded format        where all nested groups and OEMs are expanded to list all client        machines and customers contained in the groups.    -   groupToExpanded [text]: Stores groupTo in an expanded format        where all nested groups and OEMs are expanded to list all client        machines and customers contained in the groups.    -   privilegeMaskFriendlyNameID [int]: Sets the privilege mask        associated with this connectivity rule. This is a link to a        privilege table. This can also be set to the special value of        −1, which implies that the privilege is not explicitly defined        and will be inherited from a rule that is higher up in the logic        chain. The privilege table can be transferred to a control        station which includes code that can decode the table to        determine which privileges are allowed in a connectivity.    -   isActive[bit]: Set to true if rule is currently considered        active, meaning that it has not expired and has not explicitly        been removed or deactivated as the result of being replaced by a        new version of the rule following an edit.    -   isBidirectional[bit]: Set to true if rule is bidirectional,        meaning that “from” can connect to “to” and vice versa. Set to        false for one-way, “from”->“to” connectivity.    -   isReadOnly[bit]: Set to true if the rule is read only, meaning        that it requires double confirmation on edit/delete and always        appears at top of rule list display. Set to false for standard        rule.    -   type[int]: 0=additive connectivity rule, 1=subtractive        connectivity rule, 2=privilege-only rule    -   startUTC[int]: Defines the start of time window that rule is        active in UTC seconds.    -   endUTC[int]: Defines the end of time window that rule is active        in UTC seconds. For infinite rules, this will be set to 0.    -   createdUTC[int]: Timestamp of initial rule creation in UTC        seconds. When a rule is edited, the original rule becomes        inactive and a new rule is created, but the createdUTC timestamp        is maintained in the new rule.    -   modifiedUTC[int]: Timestamp of most recent rule modification in        UTC seconds. For rules being made inactive due to a rule edit,        the newly inactive rule will have its modified timestamp set to        the time of the edit.    -   creator[nvarchar]: The user who first created the rule. This can        be automatically pulled from domain login credentials used to        access the various UI pages.    -   lastModifiedBy[nvarchar]: The user who last modified the rule.        This can be automatically pulled from domain login credentials        used to access the various UI pages.    -   comments[text]: Textual comments attached to rule. These are        required.

The ability to change/add groups and rules can be limited to a selectfield of users, requiring a password/code for access to the interfaces60 and 90. The server 50 may provide interfaces that can be accessed bythe remote control stations 16 to review connectivity. The pages canprovide information on which robots can be accessed by a particularremote control station or which remote control stations can access aspecific robot.

The server may provide a tester page that allows a user to test theconnectivity between two endpoints. FIG. 4 shows an interface 130 thatcan be used to test connectivity. The interface 130 includes a “ControlStation” field 132 that allows a user to enter a control station nameand a “Robot” field 134 that allows the user to enter a robot name. Ifconnectivity is allowed by the server 50 then the interface may indicatea successful connection as in FIG. 5. If connectivity is not allowed bythe server 50 then the interface may display a message as shown in FIG.4. In either case, the interface may display the list of allconnectivity rules that applied to the calculation of the connectivitysuccess or failure.

A manager control station is defined as any computer which has access toone or more of the interfaces depicted in FIGS. 2 and 5. For example,any office computer, including a remote control station itself, can benavigated to a secure web page through a browser such as InternetExplorer, and, after supplying credentials, access those interfaces.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the robot 12. The robot 12 may include ahigh level control system 150 and a low level control system 152. Thehigh level control system 150 may include a processor 154 that isconnected to a bus 156. The bus is coupled to the camera 138 by aninput/output (I/O) port 158, and to the monitor 140 by a serial outputport 160 and a VGA driver 162. The monitor 40 may include a touchscreenfunction that allows the patient to enter input by touching the monitorscreen.

The speaker 44 is coupled to the bus 156 by a digital to analogconverter 164. The microphone 42 is coupled to the bus 156 by an analogto digital converter 166. The high level controller 150 may also containrandom access memory (RAM) device 168, a non-volatile RAM device 170 anda mass storage device 172 that are all coupled to the bus 162. The massstorage device 172 may contain medical files of the patient that can beaccessed by the user at the remote control station 16. For example, themass storage device 172 may contain a picture of the patient. The user,particularly a health care provider, can recall the old picture and makea side by side comparison on the monitor 24 with a present video imageof the patient provided by the camera 38. The robot antennae 46 may becoupled to a wireless transceiver 174. By way of example, thetransceiver 174 may transmit and receive information in accordance withIEEE 802.11b.

The controller 154 may operate with a LINUX OS operating system. Thecontroller 154 may also operate MS WINDOWS along with video, camera andaudio drivers for communication with the remote control station 16.Video information may be transceived using MPEG CODEC compressiontechniques. The software may allow the user to send e-mail to thepatient and vice versa, or allow the patient to access the Internet. Ingeneral the high level controller 150 operates to control thecommunication between the robot 12 and the remote control station 16.The controller and the high level controller 150 may be linked to thelow level controller 152 by serial ports 176.

The low level controller 152 runs software routines that mechanicallyactuate the robot 12. For example, the low level controller 152 providesinstructions to actuate the movement platform to move the robot 12. Thelow level controller 152 may receive movement instructions from the highlevel controller 150. The movement instructions may be received asmovement commands from the remote control station. Although twocontrollers are shown, it is to be understood that the robot 12 may haveone controller controlling the high and low level functions.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the robot 12. The robot 12 may include aholonomic platform 150 that is attached to a robot housing 152. Theholonomic platform 150 provides three degrees of freedom to allow therobot 12 to move in any direction.

The robot 12 may have a head 154 that supports the camera 38 and themonitor 40. The head 154 may have two degrees of freedom so that thecamera 26 and monitor 24 can be swiveled and pivoted as indicated by thearrows.

The system may be the same or similar to a robotic system provided bythe assignee InTouch-Health, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. under thetrademark RP-7. The system may also be the same or similar to the systemdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,357 issued Aug. 2, 2005, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

In operation, the robot 12 may be placed in a home, public or commercialproperty, or a facility where one or more patients are to be monitoredand/or assisted. The facility may be a hospital or a residential carefacility. By way of example, the robot 12 may be placed in a home wherea health care provider may monitor and/or assist the patient. Likewise,a friend or family member may communicate with the patient. The camerasand monitors at both the robot and remote control stations allow forteleconferencing between the patient and the person at the remotestation(s).

The robot 12 can be maneuvered through the home, property or facility bymanipulating the input device 32 at a remote station 16.

The robot 10 may be controlled by a number of different users. Toaccommodate for this the robot may have an arbitration system. Thearbitration system may be integrated into the operating system of therobot 12. For example, the arbitration technique may be embedded intothe operating system of the high-level controller 150.

By way of example, the users may be divided into classes that includethe robot itself, a local user, a caregiver, a doctor, a family member,or a service provider. The robot 12 may override input commands thatconflict with robot operation. For example, if the robot runs into awall, the system may ignore all additional commands to continue in thedirection of the wall. A local user is a person who is physicallypresent with the robot. The robot could have an input device that allowslocal operation. For example, the robot may incorporate a voicerecognition system that receives and interprets audible commands.

A caregiver is someone who remotely monitors the patient. A doctor is amedical professional who can remotely control the robot and also accessmedical files contained in the robot memory. The family and serviceusers remotely access the robot. The service user may service the systemsuch as by upgrading software, or setting operational parameters.

Message packets may be transmitted between a robot 12 and a remotestation 16. The packets provide commands and feedback. Each packet mayhave multiple fields. By way of example, a packet may include an IDfield a forward speed field, an angular speed field, a stop field, abumper field, a sensor range field, a configuration field, a text fieldand a debug field.

The identification of remote users can be set in an ID field of theinformation that is transmitted from the remote control station 16 tothe robot 12. For example, a user may enter a user ID into a setup tablein the application software run by the remote control station 16. Theuser ID is then sent with each message transmitted to the robot.

The robot 12 may operate in one of two different modes; an exclusivemode, or a sharing mode. In the exclusive mode only one user has accesscontrol of the robot. The exclusive mode may have a priority assigned toeach type of user. By way of example, the priority may be in order oflocal, doctor, caregiver, family and then service user. In the sharingmode two or more users may share access with the robot. For example, acaregiver may have access to the robot, the caregiver may then enter thesharing mode to allow a doctor to also access the robot. Both thecaregiver and the doctor can conduct a simultaneous tele-conference withthe patient.

The arbitration scheme may have one of four mechanisms; notification,timeouts, queue and call back. The notification mechanism may informeither a present user or a requesting user that another user has, orwants, access to the robot. The timeout mechanism gives certain types ofusers a prescribed amount of time to finish access to the robot. Thequeue mechanism is an orderly waiting list for access to the robot. Thecall back mechanism informs a user that the robot can be accessed. Byway of example, a family user may receive an e-mail message that therobot is free for usage. Tables 1 and 2, show how the mechanisms resolveaccess request from the various users.

TABLE I Access Medical Command Software/Debug Set User Control RecordOverride Access Priority Robot No No Yes (1) No No Local No No Yes (2)No No Caregiver Yes Yes Yes (3) No No Doctor No Yes No No No Family NoNo No No No Service Yes No Yes Yes Yes

TABLE II Requesting User Local Caregiver Doctor Family Service CurrentLocal Not Allowed Warn current user of Warn current user of Warn currentuser of Warn current user of User pending user pending user pending userpending user Notify requesting Notify requesting user Notify requestinguser Notify requesting user that system is in that system is in use thatsystem is in use user that system is in use Set timeout = 5 m Settimeout = 5 m use Set timeout Call back No timeout Call back CaregiverWarn current user Not Allowed Warn current user of Warn current user ofWarn current user of of pending user. pending user pending user pendinguser Notify requesting Notify requesting user Notify requesting userNotify requesting user that system is that system is in use that systemis in use user that system is in in use. Set timeout = 5 m Set timeout =5 m use Release control Queue or callback No timeout Callback DoctorWarn current user Warn current user of Warn current user of Notifyrequesting user Warn current user of of pending user pending userpending user that system is in use pending user Notify requesting Notifyrequesting Notify requesting user No timeout Notify requesting user thatsystem is user that system is in that system is in use Queue or callbackuser that system is in in use use No timeout use Release control Settimeout = 5 m Callback No timeout Callback Family Warn current userNotify requesting Warn current user of Warn current user of Warn currentuser of of pending user user that system is in pending user pending userpending user Notify requesting use Notify requesting user Notifyrequesting user Notify requesting user that system is No timeout thatsystem is in use that system is in use user that system is in in use Putin queue or Set timeout = 1 m Set timeout = 5 m use Release Controlcallback Queue or callback No timeout Callback Service Warn current userNotify requesting Warn current user of Warn current user of Not Allowedof pending user user that system is in request pending user Notifyrequesting use Notify requesting user Notify requesting user user thatsystem is No timeout that system is in use that system is in use in useCallback No timeout No timeout No timeout Callback Queue or callback

The information transmitted between the station 16 and the robot 12 maybe encrypted. Additionally, the user may have to enter a password toenter the system 10. A selected robot is then given an electronic key bythe station 16. The robot 12 validates the key and returns another keyto the station 16. The keys are used to encrypt information transmittedin the session.

FIG. 8 shows a robot head 200 that can both pivot and spin the camera 38and the monitor 40. The robot head 200 can be similar to the robot 12but without the platform 110. The robot head 200 may have the samemechanisms and parts to both pivot the camera 38 and monitor 40 about apivot axis 4, and spin the camera 38 and monitor 40 about a spin axis 5.The pivot axis may intersect the spin axis. Having a robot head 200 thatboth pivots and spins provides a wide viewing area. The robot head 200may be in the system either with or instead of the mobile robot 12.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote controlled robot, comprising: a robotthat has a camera; a remote control station that can connect to saidrobot, said connection including a plurality of privileges; a serverthat controls which privileges are provided to said remote controlstation; and, a manager control station that can access said server toestablish and edit said privileges.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid robot includes a monitor.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein saidrobot includes a mobile platform.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein saidprivileges include an ability to operate said robot.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said privileges include an ability to participate in asession with another remote station.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid privileges include an ability to view a video image captured bysaid robot camera.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said privilegesinclude an ability to hear audio captured by a robot microphone.
 8. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein said privileges include an ability for thevideo image captured by a control station camera to be displayed on saidrobot monitor.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said privileges includean ability for the audio captured by a control station microphone to beplayed by a robot speaker.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprisingan auxiliary device that can be coupled to said robot, and saidprivileges include an ability to access said auxiliary device attachedto said robot.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said server includes aprivilege map that is transferred to said remote control station. 12.The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes a plurality ofrobots and a plurality of remote control stations, said server includesa database that lists groups of remote stations that can connect togroups of said robots.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein saidconnection between said remote control station and said robot isestablished by a time window.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein saidserver provides a user interface that allows one or more connectivityrules to be subtracted.
 15. A remote controlled robot system,comprising: a plurality of robots that each have a camera; a pluralityof remote control stations that can connect to said robots; a serverthat contains a database that defines groups of said remote controlstations that can be connected to groups of said robots; and, a managercontrol station that can access said server to vary said groups of saidremote stations that can be connected to groups of said robots.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein said robot includes a monitor.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein said robot includes a mobile platform. 18.The system of claim 15, wherein said database includes at least oneconnectivity rule.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein said connectivityrule includes a time window to establish connectivity between one ormore remote control stations and one or more robots.
 20. A remotecontroller robot system, comprising: a robot that has a camera; a remotecontrol station that can connect to said robot; and, a server thatcontrols connectivity between said remote control station and saidrobot, said connectivity can be established with a user programmed timewindow.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein said robot includes amonitor.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein said robot includes amobile platform.
 23. A method for connecting a remote control station toa robot, comprising: setting at least one connectivity privilege througha manager control station; connecting a remote control station with arobot that has a camera, the connection being limited to theconnectivity privilege.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein theprivilege includes an ability to operate the robot.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the privilege includes an ability to participate in asession with another remote station.
 25. The method of claim 23, whereinthe privilege includes an ability to view a video image captured by therobot camera.
 26. The method of claim 23, further comprisingtransmitting a video image captured by the robot camera to the remotecontrol station.
 27. A method for connecting a remote control station toa robot, comprising: setting a time window to establish a connectionbetween a remote control station and a robot that has a camera;connecting a remote control station with the robot at the beginning ofthe time window.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprisingtransmitting a video image captured by the robot camera to the remotecontrol station.
 29. A remote controlled robot system, comprising: aplurality of robots that each have a camera; a plurality of remotecontrol stations that can connect to said robots; a server that containsa database that defines groups, each group including one or more saidremote control stations that can be connected to one or more of saidrobots; and, a manager control station that can access said server toadd and/or subtract remote stations and robots to or from a group. 30.The system of claim 29, further comprising a user interface thatincludes fields that allow for said addition and/or subtraction ofremote stations and robot within a group.
 31. A remote controlled robotsystem, comprising: a plurality of robots that each have a camera; aplurality of remote control stations that can connect to said robots; aserver that contains a database that defines groups and sub-groups, eachgroup and sub-group including one or more said remote control stationsthat can be connected to one or more of said robots, said databaseincluding one or more connectivity privileges for said groups andsub-groups; and, a manager control station that can access said serverto add and/or subtract connectivity privileges for one or more remotestations and/or one or more robots within a group and/or a sub-group.32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a user interface thatincludes fields that allow for said addition and/or subtraction of saidconnectivity privileges.